This award provides funding to Western Carolina University to assist with the implementation of new simulating learning technologies for its existing prelicensure nursing programs, both traditional BSN and accelerated BSN, as well as for its start-up Master’s Entry Prelicensure Nursing (MEPN) nursing program. This project will introduce virtual and augmented simulation to provide remote clinical and learning activities in multiple locations and provide realistic environments without dedicating space and equipment to make the learning activity realistic. WCU anticipates increasing annual nursing enrollment in the BSN program by 30 students by the 2026-2027 school year. It also anticipates annual enrollment in the MEPN program will start with 60 students in the 2024-2025 school year and will increase to 120 annually by the 2026-2027 school year. This increased enrollment is expected to result in 110 additional nursing graduates annually. The project would also provide a path for professional development for clinical partners. Golden LEAF funds will be used for nursing curriculum, fees, and equipment.
